Compulsive Behavior

Dallas Counseling for Compulsive Behavior

Common responses to compulsivity are isolation, helplessness, anxiety and depression. If you have a compulsive behavior you probably have come to depend on the behavior mentally and emotionally. In other words, you probably turn to the compulsive behavior in an effort to cope with emotionally taxing situations. However, the compulsive behavior leads to feelings of shame, and shame only keeps you stuck in the compulsive behavior. Without help, if one compulsive behavior stops, another one will take its place. This is because the underlying feelings and problems that have led to the behaviors in the first place have not been dealt with. It is very difficult for a person to stop a compulsive behavior without some form of therapeutic help

We’ve all heard of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). What is it? A simple definition of OCD is this:  a disorder characterized by unreasonable thoughts or fears (obsessions) that lead a person to do repetitive behaviors (compulsions) which interfere with the person’s ability to function socially, occupationally, or educationally.

What is the difference between an obsession and a compulsion?

An obsession is a recurrent or persistent thought or impulse. The thoughts or impulses are irresistible even though the person knows they are irrational. To try to control them, a person will feel an overwhelming urge to repeat certain rituals or behaviors called compulsions.

The Insights therapists who specialize in working with compulsive behavior are Jeff Baldridge, Shawn Chrisman and Murphy Foster.  Call Insights Therapy today at 214.706.0508, click here to email us, or click here to schedule an appointment. Insights offers flexible scheduling with daytime, evening and weekend appointments.